(A) Whenever any person, firm or corporation desires water service from the water system of the city, that person shall make a written request on a water service request form provided by the city. For new water service to a site not previously served by the city water system, a written request shall be made on a water connection request form provided by the city.
(1) Water service requests shall include the following:
(a) The name and signature of the applicant;
(b) The location of the premises for which water service is desired;
(c) The address to which water bills shall be mailed or delivered;
(d) Information the city may require to determine an applicable water rate; and
(e) Additional information the city may reasonably require.
(2) Water connection requests, when necessary, shall be in addition to a water service request, and the following conditions shall apply.
(a) Approved water connection requests shall not be transferable to property other than the property for which originally issued.
(b) A building permit issued by the state for the property designated on the water connection request shall be obtained within 180 days of approval of the water connection request.
(c) Actual construction shall begin on the property designated on the water connection request within 180 days of approval of the water connection request. Construction shall be considered to have begun on the date on which building foundations or slab are placed.
(B) No water shall be resold or distributed by the recipient thereof from the city supply to any premises other than those for which application has been made. A violation of this section shall be grounds for the discontinuance of water service.
(C) Buildings supplied with water other than water furnished by the city may not obtain city water unless city-approved cross-connection controls are installed. Upon determining that another water supply is being used, city water service will be shut off until cross-connection controls are installed.
(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to cut, alter, change, remove, disconnect or connect with, or in any manner interfere, meddle or tamper with any hydrant owned or used by the city; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to the City Fire Department.
(E) (1) All water meters inside the city are the property of the city and shall not be removed except by Water Department employees. All new water services will be required to have water meters installed. Applicants for a change in meter size to a larger meter shall pay the difference in the service connection charges; no refund shall be made for changes to a smaller meter size. The occupants of any building or premises where a meter is located shall ensure that the meter is kept and remains free from obstructions on or around the same and is conveniently accessible at all times for the purpose of reading, inspecting or repairing; failure may result in loss of water service and payment of service calls. The Water Department may at any time attach a meter to, or detach a meter from, the service pipe of any place and charge for the quantity of water used or measured at the established water rate. When a meter becomes out of order and fails to register accurately, the charge shall be according to the average quantity used monthly, as shown by the meter when in order, and shall continue in such fashion until repairs are made.
(2) When the water main is in a public right-of-way, the water meter shall be installed in the right-of-way at a location convenient to the property served and approved by the Public Works Director or his or her designee. When the water main is in an easement or publicly owned property other than designated rights-of-way, the water meter shall be installed in the easement or publicly owned property unless another location is approved by the Public Works Director or his or her designee. If, in either case cited, the length of the service line from the water main to the meter location exceeds 30 feet, the applicant shall pay any additional cost of the line based on actual cost to the Public Works Department for materials and time to install the water service.
(F) The water may at any time be shut off from the mains, without notice, for repairs or other necessary purposes; the city will not be responsible for any consequent damages. If a shortage of water exists, the city has the authority at any time to restrict the use of water to any of its customers.
(G) Water service to private fire systems may be permitted after charges are calculated by the city and a formal agreement is signed between the city and the consumer.
(H) From time to time, the Council shall establish, review and revise charges, by resolution, to be made for new water service connections within and without the city and the charges to be paid by consumers of city water within and without the city. A special rate may be established for any consumer whose premises are so situated that a minimum static water pressure of 20 pounds per square inch cannot be maintained without mechanical assistance. The Council, in establishing such special rate, shall consider the cost of acquisition, installation, maintenance and operation of the mechanical assistance required to maintain such minimum pressure. Charges, once established, shall continue until altered or revised by the Council.
(I) An advance deposit, the amount of which shall be established by resolution of the Council, shall be held by the city to be applied toward any unpaid water service charge due from the applicant. Said deposit shall be held by the city until the service for which deposit is made is discontinued or until six months from the date of deposit, whichever is sooner. If there has been delinquency by the applicant in payment of water charges during the initial six-month period, the deposit shall be held by the city to ensure payment of the applicant’s account until such service is discontinued or until the account has been free from delinquency for six successive months, whichever is sooner.
(J) All water service charges shall be mailed to the premises where water service is furnished unless the property owner requests, in writing, that the bill be submitted to another address.
(K) The property owner of record shall be responsible for payment of all charges prescribed in this section. If the property is rented and the renter fails to pay the charges after they are due, the city may submit the bill to the property owner.
(L) A water account shall be considered delinquent if not fully paid within 15 days from the date a statement is mailed. Service to any water consumer can be discontinued when the consumer’s account has been delinquent for a period of 30 days. Prior to discontinuation, due process shall be observed. In no case shall service be restored to any delinquent consumer of water until such delinquency has been fully paid, in addition to any other charges provided by resolution as set by the City Council for restoration of service. If, when water service has been discontinued due to nonpayment, a water consumer restores water service without permission of the Water Department, the Water Department will again discontinue water service by detaching the meter. In such circumstances, an additional charge set by resolution of the City Council, shall be assessed to reattach the meter.
(M) Water service charges shall become a lien against the premises served from and after the date of billing. Such billing and accompanying records shall be accessible for inspection by anyone interested in ascertaining the amount of charges against the property. The Council shall have the right to enforce such liens in the same manner as provided by charter, ordinance or statute for the enforcement of city liens in general. The city reserves the right to refuse service to subsequent applicants when the premises for which service is sought has unpaid water charges.
(N) When a user has a delinquent bill for one service location, the delinquency shall be a charge against said user for water obtained at any other premises or source served by the city.
(Ord. 1286, passed - -2020) Penalty, see § 51.99